Fluid Cooled Reformer Using Fuel Stream for Reactor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high temperatures generated by fuel reforming systems in gas turbines pose challenges for cooling the reformer and the heated reformate stream, leading to material costs increases and unnecessary complexity with additional cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A fluid cooled reformer system that uses a portion of the fuel stream to cool both the reactor assembly and the heated reformate stream, allowing for the use of low-cost, low-temperature piping materials and enhancing combustion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If additional cooling systems such as heat exchangers are used to cool the reformer and reformate stream, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel stream serves multiple functions: it is both the reactant for the reforming process and the cooling medium for the reformer reactor and reformate stream. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling systems while maintaining effective temperature control throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own fuel stream to provide cooling, rather than requiring external cooling systems. The fuel stream circulates through the reformer reactor, absorbing heat, and then mixes with the reformate stream to cool it, enabling the system to self-regulate temperatures without additional complexity.
2Temperature
If high temperature materials are used for downstream piping to handle heated reformate stream, then temperature resistance is improved, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel stream is pre-cooled by circulating it through the reformer reactor before it mixes with the reformate stream. This preliminary cooling action reduces the temperature of the reformate stream to a level that can be handled by standard low-temperature piping materials, eliminating the need for expensive high-temperature materials.
3Reliability
If the reformer is cooled to prevent overheating, then reformer reliability is improved, but the cooling process adds system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The reformer reactor is cooled by the fuel stream that circulates through it, using the system's own operational fluid rather than requiring external cooling systems. This self-service approach maintains reformer reliability while avoiding additional cooling system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides cost-effective and simple cooling, improving flame stability, reducing emissions, and increasing turndown capabilities while maintaining acceptable NOx levels, thus enhancing the operability and efficiency of gas turbines.
Implementation Method 1
directing a fluid stream around a reactor assembly of a fuel reformer to cool the reactor assembly
Implementation Method 2
directing a fluid stream around a reactor assembly of a fuel reformer to cool the reactor assembly
Implementation Method 3
mixing the heated reformate stream with the fluid stream to cool the heated reformate stream
Implementation Method 4
mixing the heated reformate stream with the fluid stream to cool the heated reformate stream
Implementation Method 5
The reactions that occur during the fuel reforming process are exothermic in nature and, thus, generate high temperature products
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter is directed to a method for operating a fuel reformer. The method may generally include directing a fluid stream around a reactor assembly of the fuel reformer to cool the reactor assembly, and mixing a heated reformate stream produced by the reactor assembly with the fluid stream to cool the heated reformate stream.